Driving for Dessert: Tangerine: The Food Bar in Regina
Located in Regina’s downtown, Tangerine: The Food Bar is known for fresh, seasonal eats. With a menu that changes weekly and features plenty of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Photo by Tangerine
Tangerine’s lunch menu includes light options like soup, sandwiches and salads, alongside freshly made baked goods and warm and cold drinks. For owner Aimee Schulhauser, the focus is always on cooking from scratch, and everything is made in-house daily.
“We describe Tangerine as our ‘culinary playground.’ We just play and if something works, then great,” Schulhauser said. “And then we like to use things that are in season, to really reflect what’s available.”
Photo by Tangerine
If you have a sweet tooth, Tangerine will not disappoint. Some dessert favourites include cinnamon buns that are rolled in cinnamon and topped with gooey caramel (cinnamon buns are only made on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, so plan ahead!). Another favourite is the vegan donuts that are made on Fridays and come in creative flavours like vanilla earl grey and saskatoon berry moonshine.
“The vegan donuts have gained quite the following,” Schulhauser said, noting that Tangerine has other vegan and gluten-free baked goods, such as cookies and muffins. “We make sure we’re an all-inclusive place, especially with the rise of mindful eating and knowing where our food supply is coming from.”
Photo by Tangerine
Then there are the scones. Baked fresh and available every day, scones are a Tangerine must. The scone flavours change regularly but include single fruit flavours like cherry, blueberry and raspberry, and more specialty options like French vanilla coconut, lemon poppyseed, and pumpkin chocolate chip.
Tangerine is just one of Schulhauser’s many Regina initiatives, as she also does catering, hosts meetings (you can book the in-house boardroom!) and operates Slice Cafe, which is near Wascana Park. In the same building as Tangerine, you’ll also find Schoolhaus Culinary Arts, which offers public and private cooking classes both in-person and online – some of them taught by Schulhauser herself! Schoolhaus Culinary Arts is a perfect option for honing your kitchen skills, and classes include everything from vegan street food and handmade artisan pasta to themed holiday classes and even sessions just for kids. So, whether you’re a local or just visiting the city, check out this YQR favourite – be it for lunch, dessert or to learn something new.
Photo by Tangerine
Make it a day trip or a weekend
Turn dessert at Tangerine into a day trip or a weekend and explore what the downtown Regina area has to offer.
Where to stay
Regina is home to many hotels, but one hotel that stands out (and just happens to be a five-minute walk from Tangerine) is The Hotel Saskatchewan. Part of the Autograph Collection by Marriott, this historic hotel opened in 1927 and offers a luxurious stay. Depending on when you visit, you might be able to take in one of its Afternoon Tea events. Guests can choose from several blends of tea, accompanied by a tea tower featuring sweet and savoury treats. Hosted monthly (reservations required), Afternoon Tea is an experience in itself! Stay tuned to The Hotel Saskatchewan’s Instagram for the latest details on tea events.
Photo by The Hotel Saskatchewan Autograph Collection
What to see/do
In Regina, you’ll find plenty of attractions worth visiting. Just a five-minute walk from Tangerine is Stone Hall Castle. Originally built in 1926, this “castle” brings a medieval European experience to the city’s downtown core. Book a guided tour to explore its many rooms, all with period decor.
Photo by Stone Hall Castle
Also near Tangerine, you’ll find two Saskatchewan originals that have become wildly popular since their inception. The original location of Leopold’s Tavern is just a few blocks away on Albert Street. Since opening in 2013, Leopold’s has expanded to multiple locations in different provinces, so stop in for a meal and check out where the magic started. If you’re interested in doing a bit of shopping, the flagship location of the Saskatchewan-born jewelry company Hillberg & Berk is located in a charming character home on McIntyre Street.
Photo by Jesse Bryksa
Bonus points
Given its downtown location, Tangerine is close to several of the city’s central outdoor spaces. Victoria Park and City Square Plaza are nearby, and you’ll find plenty of shops and restaurants in the area too. Depending on the time of year, you can grab a meal to-go from Tangerine or another local restaurant, and head to one of the downtown parks for a little picnic. From May to October, the Regina Farmers’ Market hosts its outdoor markets at City Square Plaza on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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Tangerine: The Food Bar is located at 2234 14th Avenue in Regina, SK. For more information and hours, visit its website. Tangerine and one of its recipes will also be featured in Naomi Hansen’s forthcoming book, Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries. Visit www.naomihansen.ca for more information.
Author: Naomi Hansen
